In Forestville, Sonoma County, the Wohler Bridge spans the Russian River between Eastside Road and Westside Road, serving as both a historic landmark and a practical crossing point connecting the region’s wine country. The bridge itself is a modest but charming structure with views down the river valley and onto surrounding vineyards that shift through the seasons.

Dogs on leash are welcome to walk across the bridge, which makes for a nice break if you’re driving between Guerneville and Healdsburg. The crossing takes just a few minutes, but the setting is peaceful enough that many people pause midway to take photos or simply look downriver. You’ll get a sense of how the landscape has evolved while the bridge has remained largely unchanged since its original construction.

The immediate area around the bridge doesn’t have developed parking or picnic facilities, so this works best as a quick stop rather than a destination for an extended outing. The road shoulders can accommodate a few parked cars, though they fill up during peak times on weekends. The bridge itself is narrow enough that you’ll want to step to the side if vehicles approach while you’re crossing.

The real appeal here is how it functions as a scenic vantage point—you can see into both the river corridor and the vineyard-covered hills beyond. It’s the kind of place that rewards a slower drive through wine country rather than a rushed visit. If you’re exploring the Russian River area with your dog and want to break up the drive, this gives you a legitimate reason to get out and stretch your legs while taking in the landscape. The approach roads are scenic too, so consider timing a bridge visit for late afternoon when the light hits the valley differently than it does at midday.